To indicate whether a user has logged into any Google service on the browser or not, Chrome 69 started displaying the avatar image right next to the Omnibox. Some users misunderstood, thinking Google was syncing bookmarks and web browsing history in Chrome, containing login information for accounts like Gmail or YouTube.
Chrome 70 for Mac, Windows, Linux - faster login and enhanced security utilities
Therefore, Chrome 70 introduces a new option called 'Allow Chrome sign-in' in the Settings. Turning off this option means users will 'sign in to Google websites like Gmail without signing into Chrome.' Clicking on the avatar icon will provide a better indication of the user's current sync status: signed out, signed in but not synced, and signed in and syncing.
Chrome 70 continues to prioritize HTTPS by displaying a 'Not secure' warning and a red icon when users enter passwords or personal data on HTTP pages. This is considered the final update removing the 'Secure' icon from the address bar to better reflect default security expectations.
Regarding privacy settings, Chrome will exit full-screen mode when a dialog appears - including file selection and authentication/payment requests. This change ensures users have proper context before taking action when there is a warning.
Starting from this version, when you right-click on Chrome Extension, new options will appear when add-ons are allowed to run. The menu 'This can read and change site data' allows users to choose: When you click the Extension, On this site, and On all sites. Users can only run extensions after clicking on that extension in the toolbar or setting up a whitelist. These new options have not been fully deployed yet.
Chrome 70 for macOS enables websites to access Touch ID on MacBook Pro and other Apple hardware as part of the Web Authentication API. For example, fingerprint sensors can be used for two-factor authentication on supported websites.
Meanwhile, Chrome 70 enhances support for Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) on Windows following the installation of Chrome OS 67. Progressive Web Apps, commonly associated with mobile devices, are now being integrated into desktops, recognizing their role in professional tasks.
Similar to Android, PWAs for desktop can be 'installed' alongside other applications. PWAs also feature responsive design, with Google working on keyboard shortcuts, app icons, and linking. Support for Mac and Linux will be available in Chrome 72.
AV1 is a next-generation codec designed for higher quality and more efficient video streaming. Video compression is improved by 30% compared to the current VP9 standard. Chrome 70 adds AV1 decoding to Chrome OS, macOS, Windows, and Linux, but the encoding feature is not included yet.
To save data, especially on mobile devices and for smooth HD streaming, YouTube plans to utilize AV1 and roll out a Beta Playlist featuring 14 videos. On supported browsers, users can access YouTube's TestTube experiment and select ''Prefer AV1 for SD.'
Why wait? Go ahead and update Chrome now.
To prevent its users from accessing low-quality websites with excessive ads or negative impact, Facebook reduces the ranking of links to low-quality websites on the News Feed using an automated system. This ensures a cleaner and safer social network for all of us.
